Covaxin Effective Against Delta Plus Variant Of Covid-19 Says ICMR Study

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in its study informed that the Covaxin which is developed by the Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and the National Institute of Pune is effective against the Delta plus variant of Covid-19.

According to the reports, the study stated that the sera of fully immunised individuals (with 2 doses) didn’t show significant fold-reduction in the NAb titer against Delta, Delta AY.1 and B.1.617.3. Delta variant with its characteristic spike protein mutations has mutated further into four sub-lineages with an additional mutation which is associated with higher transmission and probable immune escape.

The study further stated that a significant increase in the NAb titer against B.1 variant in recovered cases with vaccination and breakthrough cases was observed compared to the Covid-19 native vaccines. Similarly, a significant increase in NAb titer was also observed among these two groups against Delta, Delta AY.1 and B.1.617.3 variants. This demonstrates the possible role of memory cells in immune-boosting with post-infection or infection after immunization. The comparative analysis of all the groups revealed that the B.1.617.3 variant seems to be less susceptible to neutralization followed by Delta AY.1 and Delta variants.

Delta Plus is a mutated form of the Delta variant and was first discovered in India.